What a match up this will be on Friday night! It is what high school football is all about. 2 of the best football programs in the state of Tennessee! Riverdale is hands down the best program in 5A the last 10 years. I believe they have been to the last 4 championship games and 7 out of the last 10 too? What a run! Oak Ridge is a perennial power that has the greatest history in the state. 8 State Championships and a National Championship are definitely the basis of a fantastic program! I can't wait!
Both teams seem to be going in the right direction at the right time. This is the norm for Riverdale under Coach Rankin. My hats off to him for consistently winning and having his team ready to go come playoff time. The Cats still haven't peaked yet this season. I have been fortunate enough to see all of their games. They played very well about week 5 and 6, but have consistently gotten better though out the playoffs.
I think the game could be a low scoring affair. Coach Rankin and Coach Lussier are 2 of the best defensive coaches in the state. I believe their plans will slow the opposing offenses down, although both appear to be very sound. I can vouch for Oak Ridge's. The best offense I have seen in quite some time. The running game is close to unstoppable. I think the thing that most are missing is the play of quarterback Scott McMahon. He is playing his best football of the year. He wont take the game in his hands and win it, but if the Warriors aren't ready for him to throw and run the ball, he will come up big for the Cats. The Warriors apparently have unbelievable athletes. The quarterback can apparently make things happen on busted plays. As the case is so often in high school football, the game will be won and lost in the trenches with the line play. Oak ridge has been consistently superior to opposing lines this year on both sides of the ball. The game will come down to what all big games come down to - turnovers, and what the opposing team does with those turnovers. This is how OR beat Dobyns-Bennett in their 3rd round game, and apparently how the Warriors beat Dobyns-Bennett last year in the semifinal game. Because of the experience and output of both of the defensive coaches, I believe that both high-powered offenses will be limited greatly. Oak Ridge has not seen a defense with so many athletes all year, and I would venture to say that the same goes for Riverdale. The Warrior fans probably don't have much respect for the Cats because OR is 0-3 versus the Warriors. I think this will play into the Wildcats' hands. On the other hand, the Cats have a large amount of respect for Riverdale. How can you not? The travel issue wont be a big deal for the Warriors. They apparently know how to travel to hostile environments (Fayetteville) and come up with a big win. Although playing at Blankenship Field is second to none in Tennessee, Coach Rankin will have his troops ready to go.
I played at Oak Ridge the last few years, so of course I am partial! I love Oak Ridge and the football program. At the same time, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Rankin and the Warriors. It should the best game in some time for Wildcat fans to witness. First 4th round game since '96 and first home semi-final game since '79! I think I am going to steal a line from Mike Blackerby of the Oak Ridger from earlier in the year. I believe it is the "Year of the Cat!" The 0-3 record against Riverdale and the 12 year drought from going to the state championship game will come to an end Friday night! Right or wrong, its going to be a great game! I can't wait!
